Four Lakes Task Force negotiated an access agreement with Boyce Hydro Power, and got a limited stay from the bankruptcy court, for the four dams the week of October 12. The purpose is to assess operations, identify items for repair and compliance, and prepare for winter and spring operations. The focus of the work will be on dam stabilization, assessing critical needs for winter operations, inspection and assessment of short-term critical action items, and efforts to refine the estimates for the restoration of Sanford and Edenville, and the repairs of Smallwood and Secord dams.

This will help Four Lakes Task Force refine the cost estimates of repairs that will be needed to prepare the dams for winter operations. Multiple individuals will be on-site at the dams throughout the week representing the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and FLTF engineering consultants Spicer Group and GEI, among others.

This is an important engagement in stabilizing the dams for winter, and identifying immediate needs for critical repairs and operations for the dams through the winter and spring.

We need volunteers to help categorize, sort and label recovered items from the Sanford Dam debris and distribute them to their proper owners. Volunteers can sign up for a shift on any of the following days: October 22-23, October 26-30, November 2-6 and November 9-13.